Trump Policies at Odds With ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Push

Tattered US flag

Share this...

 

“…even as he extols MAHA, Trump has unleashed a slew of policies likely to make Americans less healthy.”

 

Trump Policies at Odds With ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Push

 

In his March address to Congress, President Donald Trump honored a Texas boy diagnosed with brain cancer. Amid bipartisan applause, he vowed to drive down childhood cancer rates through his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.

A few days later, the administration quietly dropped a lawsuit to cut emissions from a Louisiana chemical plant linked to cancer.

At first glance, Trump appears to have fully embraced the MAHA movement championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. From proclaiming in his congressional speech a goal to “get toxins out of our environment” to launching a new commission to study cancer and other ailments, Trump has vowed to end what he calls an epidemic of chronic disease.

 

 

But even as he extols MAHA, Trump has unleashed a slew of policies likely to make Americans less healthy. He’s slashing 20,000 full time positions from HHS and cutting more than $4 billion in indirect costs related to health research grants, including studies into treatment for Alzheimer’s and cancer. He also supported a GOP plan likely to kneecap Medicaid, a joint federal-state program that covers about 72 million Americans.

The contradictions raise doubts about the sincerity of Trump’s support for the MAHA agenda and his administration’s commitment to making a dent in chronic disease — conditions that afflict about 133 million Americans and account for roughly 90% of the $4.5 trillion spent annually in the U.S. on health care.

The administration’s attention to chronic disease is also notable for its lack of focus on expanding health insurance. Research shows people with coverage have lower death rates; insurance provides free or low-cost preventive care that can help manage chronic disease and reduce risks of serious complications.

“The layoffs at HHS, cuts to Medicaid, and reduction in research could all end up resulting in less healthy Americans,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF. “They’re talking about getting at the root causes of chronic disease. Less research and protections will undermine that goal.” KFF is a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

______________________________

HEAL California is an independent news and information hub focused on the Medicare for All movement.

With non-partisan news, views, podcasts and videos, we highlight the on-going injustices of our broken healthcare system and amplify the voices of those who are most impacted by it.

Our Podcasts shine a light on the failures of America’s healthcare system, while explaining how Medicare for All could help.

Our Media page offers connections to experts and additional resources including links to legislation and studies.

Keep up with the Medicare for All movement!

Follow us on Facebook and subscribe for email updates.